Mapping the Modern Data Librarian: Maintaining Competence in a Changing Digital Research Landscape

Using semi-structured interviews, this study describes how varieties of data librarians in North Carolina stay up-to-date in their fields. As data based research and decision-making has become ubiquitous within academic communities, librarians have been required to gain new technical and interpersonal skills to help them in navigating data related patrons and tasks. The study documents the specific strategies and techniques that participants use to provide useful service to patrons and continue learning over changing learning environments. These strategies and the experiences that the participants use for professional development could be applicable to library schools that are open to adjusting curriculums in order to support greater data literacy and data-related skills among their new graduates. The study makes several specific recommendations for library schools based upon the data gathered from participants’ remarks.